Peter Lucas recalls helping a veteran with disabilities

When people volunteer, they can change lives — including their own. Each week in Reason, we will highlight a volunteer’s story of giving back and how that selfless act was a true revelation. The volunteer project is a collaboration among the Times-Union, the University of North Florida, the United Way of Northeast Florida and HandsOn Jacksonville.

Peter Lucas has spent countless hours in the Florida heat building ramps for disabled veterans as part of volunteering with HandsOn Jacksonville.

He started volunteering shortly after moving to Jacksonville from New York when his girlfriend suggested he volunteer as a way to stay busy while he searched for a job.

But it wasn’t until one particular summer day in June on the Northside, that Lucas realized the value of his volunteer work.

There were only three volunteers that Friday, not the typical eight or nine who normally volunteered on the weekends.

“I think that made it so much sweeter,” Lucas said.

The Iraq war veteran, unlike other disabled veterans in previous projects, stayed inside his home the entire eight hours it took the volunteers to build the ramp.

“I felt the sense of somebody just very proud and not looking for anything from anybody,” Lucas said. “It didn’t deter me because I knew this was going to help.”

Lucas and his fellow volunteers worked hard to construct the ramp. Even though there were only three people, they were committed to getting it done that day. Around 3:30 p.m., exhausted, dehydrated and drenched in sweat, the men completed the ramp.

The volunteers told the veteran that the ramp was finished and asked him to test it. As the volunteers and the veteran’s family watched, the very proud man who sat inside his home all day not wanting to ask for help came outside to use the ramp for the first time.

The crew offered to help guide him.

“I can do this on my own,” the veteran said. And he did.

“Once he got on that ramp, the change on his face, the expression on his face …” Lucas said. “It was magical.”

Lucas and the two other volunteers had restored some pride in the man by giving him the ability to get from his front door to the sidewalk on his own.